Australia’s tech sector is booming and software engineers are at the heart of its growth. From programming artificial intelligence and cybersecurity platforms to FinTech and health informatics, skilled software engineering professionals are driving innovation across the country. As Australian businesses compete on a global scale, the widespread rise of jobs in Australia for software engineers reflects the growing demand for experienced engineers.
This presents a compelling opportunity for software engineers. Australia offers not only world-class career prospects but also a high quality of life, strong economic stability, and a direct pathway to permanent residency for those with the right qualifications and experience.
Yes, there are numerous jobs in Australia for software engineers, demonstrating the growing demand for skilled software engineers. The need for experienced developers, software architects, cybersecurity experts, and cloud engineers has surged as technology continues to play a central role in driving economic and business innovation in the country.
This demand spans sectors such as finance, healthcare, e-commerce, education, and government infrastructure, with many companies reporting shortages in local tech talent. As a result, software engineering occupations in Australia are frequently listed on the Skilled Occupation (SOL) List and the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), making them eligible for skilled migration and employer-sponsored visa programs.
This presents an exciting opportunity to access roles offering competitive salaries, long-term career growth, and even visa sponsorship for qualified software engineers. Hitchcock & Associates can help software engineers understand their eligibility and navigate the Australian migration process with confidence.
Thanks to a strong tech-driven economy and a steady demand for digital expertise, software professionals enjoy attractive earning potential and a variety of employment benefits across both the public and private sectors.
Australia’s technology landscape is diverse, with opportunities in banking, healthcare, telecommunications, government, education, and fast-growing startups. Software engineers are in demand across major cities and regional centres alike, and employers are increasingly aware of the value skilled professionals bring to innovation, product development, and digital transformation. This demand reflects not only in base salaries but also in career advancement opportunities, flexible working arrangements, and in some cases, performance-based bonuses or remote work options.
Your experience, qualifications, and specialisation, whether in backend development, AI, DevOps, cybersecurity, or full-stack development, can influence your earning potential. Similarly, your employment location, the size and sector of the company, and the responsibilities associated with the role also play a part. Professionals with niche skills or leadership capabilities may access to higher-tier roles with greater compensation and strategic influence.
Some Australian companies may fully or partially sponsor software engineers from overseas to help fill critical skill gaps. As the country continues to expand its digital economy, local businesses increasingly look beyond national borders to source specialised tech talent. For highly skilled software professionals, this can create a clear and viable pathway to employment in Australia through employer-sponsored visas.
Sponsorship is not limited to large corporations: mid-sized businesses and even fast-growing startups are also turning to global candidates to build scalable digital products and infrastructure. Sponsored roles are commonly filled through the Skills in Demand Visa (SID) (subclass 482), which allows Australian employers to bring in overseas talent for medium and long-term skill shortages. In many cases, this visa offers a pathway to permanent residency.
For instance, numerous Australian firms across various sectors actively seek international talent to fill critical roles. Companies such as DXC Technology Australia Pty Ltd, Infosys Technologies Ltd, Capgemini Australia Pty Ltd, and IBM Australia Ltd, for example, are known to sponsor skilled professionals from overseas.
If you’re a software engineer exploring the possibility of building a new life in Australia, you’re not alone. As one of the most in-demand professions in the country, skilled software engineers can access a variety of skilled migration pathways. That said, the process can be complex, and success depends on understanding the key steps and requirements involved. Before you begin looking for jobs in Australia for software engineers, make sure you know what the application process looks like.
The first step to immigrating as a software engineer is to ensure your occupation appears on Australia’s Skills Occupation List (SOL) or Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). This includes roles eligible for skilled migration and employer-sponsored visas. “Software Engineer” is currently listed on the SOL and CSOL and is associated with a range of visas. This includes the Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482), the Employer Nominated Scheme Visa (Subclass 186), and visas under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program, such as the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189), and the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190).
A critical requirement for most skilled migration visas is a successful skills assessment. For software engineers, the relevant assessing authority is the Australian Computer Society (ACS). This process verifies that your qualifications and work experience meet Australian standards. In general:
- You must hold a degree in computer science, software engineering, or a closely related IT field. However, applicants with degrees in unrelated fields may still qualify if they have substantial and relevant work experience
- You will need to demonstrate relevant work experience. For the SID visa, applicants are required to demonstrate at least one year of relevant post-qualification work experience. For visas under the GSM program, the amount of required work experience varies, as ACS considers both the relevance of your qualification and your post-qualification work experience.
- Documentation must be comprehensive and accurate, including academic transcripts, reference letters, and detailed employment history.
All skilled visas require applicants to demonstrate English proficiency. Tests accepted include IELTS and Pearson PTE, and you must achieve a minimum score set by the visa subclass you apply for. While the required score may vary, Hitchcock & Associates recommends that clients aim for a higher proficiency. This helps maximise their eligibility and points, especially for independent skilled visas.
Unlike health professionals, software engineers typically do not need to register with a licensing body in Australia. However, some employer-sponsored roles may require proof of your technical certifications depending on the nature of the work. Being certified in high-demand platforms can significantly enhance your employability.
There are several visa pathways available to software engineers, each offering different benefits depending on your circumstances.
- Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482): This employer-sponsored temporary visa is ideal for those who have a confirmed job offer from an Australian employer that is an approved business sponsor. The employer must be willing to nominate the applicant for the visa. It requires a minimum annual salary, a positive skills assessment and at least one year of relevant experience. The visa may offer a pathway to permanent residency.
- Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186): A permanent residency visa for skilled software engineers with a full-time job offer from an Australian employer who is approved to nominate under the scheme. This visa offers a direct Permanent Residency pathway for eligible candidates.
- Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189): A points-tested permanent visa that does not require employer sponsorship. Candidates are invited based on factors such as age, education, English proficiency, and work experience.
- Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190): Requires nomination by an Australian state or territory. While it is also points-tested, it tends to be more accessible for candidates whose occupation is in demand within specific states or territories.
- Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491): A provisional visa that allows professionals to live and work in designated regional areas. It offers a pathway to permanent residency after a period of residence and work.
For GSM visas (Subclass 189, 190, 491), you will need to submit an EOI through SkillSelect. The EOI includes your qualifications, experience, and other details used to determine your eligibility and points score. Based on this, you may be invited to apply for a visa by either the Australian Federal Government (for Subclass 189) or a state/territory (for Subclass 190 or 491).
Once you receive an invitation to apply (or have employer sponsorship for the Subclass 482), you will need to complete the formal visa application. This process involves submitting all required documentation. Documents include your skills assessment outcome, English test results, health and character checks, and more.
Once you receive your granted visa, you can begin preparing for your relocation to Australia. While many professionals choose to navigate the process independently, it can get overwhelming trying to move through Australia’s skilled and employer-sponsored migration process without guidance.
Errors in documentation, misinterpretation of requirements, or delays in securing an invitation can derail your plans. Hitchcock & Associates has more than 35 years of experience helping skilled workers, including software engineers, move to Australia with clarity and confidence.
Whether you’re already speaking with a potential employer or starting your journey from scratch, professional support can help ensure that your application is accurate, complete, and positioned for success.
As a software engineer, one of the most common questions when considering a move to Australia is: what will it cost? While the total expense varies depending on individual circumstances, visa type, and family composition, there are a few consistent categories of costs to keep in mind.
Visa Application Fees
These are set by the Department of Home Affairs and differ by visa subclass and the number of applicants included:
- Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand visa): Standard primary application fee, with additional charges for secondary applicants (such as spouses and dependent children)
- Subclass 189, 190, or 491 (General Skilled migration visas): Each has a separate fee structure that may change annually. Note: Fees are charged per applicant and increase with each family member included in the application.
Skills Assessment Fees
Before applying for a skilled visa, software engineers must complete a skills assessment through the Australian Computer Society (ACS).
- ACS assessment fees depend on your qualification pathway and whether additional review is required.
- Additional documentation and verification steps may also incur small costs.
English Language Testing
Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through an approved language test, such as:
- Pearson PTE (Pearson Test of English)
Each test has its own pricing structure depending on the provider and testing location.
Health and Character Checks
- Medical examinations conducted by an approved panel physician
- Police clearance certificates from countries where you have lived for more than 12 months
Migration Agent Fees (Optional)
Many applicants choose to work with a registered migration agent, such as Hitchcock & Associates, to avoid delays, errors, or misunderstandings in the process. Agent fees vary depending on the complexity of your case and the visa type, but clients often find that expert support reduces stress and improves the outcome of their application.
Yes, skilled software engineers have multiple viable pathways to become permanent residents in Australia, depending on their visa eligibility. As a high-demand occupation featured on Australia’s Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), software engineering is strongly supported under Australia’s skilled migration framework. Many professionals successfully leverage their experience and qualifications to secure permanent residency through these channels.
There are three main permanent residency pathways for software engineers:
- Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189): This is a points-tested permanent residency visa that does not require employer or state nomination. Applicants must receive an invitation to apply through the SkillSelect system. They also need to meet the minimum points threshold, which considers factors such as age, English language ability, education, and work experience.
- Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190): This points-tested permanent residency visa requires nomination by a state or territory government. Applicants must have an occupation listed on the relevant state’s skilled occupation list and commit to living and working in that state for a period of time. Software engineers with in-demand skills in specific regions may find this pathway more accessible than the subclass 189 visa.
- Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186): For software engineers with a full-time job offer from an Australian employer who is willing to nominate them, the subclass 186 visa provides a direct pathway to permanent residency. Two common streams under the subclass 186 visa, includes the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream and the Direct Entry Stream. TRT is used by applicants who have worked for their sponsoring employer on a Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482) for at least two years. The Direct Entry Stream is designed for applicants who are outside Australia or not eligible for a TRT. The Direct Entry stream generally requires at least three years of relevant work experience and a positive skills assessment.
Other options may include:
- Regional pathways, such as the Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa, which provide a path to permanent residency for applicants willing to live and work in regional areas.
- The National Innovation visa, which replaced the Global Talent Visa, provides a permanent residency pathway for high-performing globally recognized professionals who can make significant contributions to Australia’s tech and innovation ecosystem.
Most permanent residency pathways require a positive skills assessment by the Australian Computer Society (ACS), English proficiency (such as IELTS or Pearson PTE), and meeting health and character requirements. Applicants must also be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation.
Yes, software engineers migrating to Australia are often able to bring their immediate family with them. Whether you’re applying through an independent skilled visa or an employer-sponsored route, Australia’s migration framework is structured to support family unity.
Eligible family members may include:
- Your spouse or de facto partner
- Dependent children (biological, adopted, or stepchildren)
When you lodge your visa application, such as a Subclass 189, 190, 186 or 482, you can include your eligible family members in the same application. If you’ve already received your visa and wish to bring them later, there are additional options available, such as subsequent entrant visas for certain subclasses, or a partner or child visa for others.
Your family members will generally enjoy the same visa benefits as you. This typically includes the ability to live, work and study in Australia, access to public healthcare through Medicare, and in some cases, pathways to permanent residency and eventually citizenship.
To ensure a smooth application process, it’s important that all family members meet health and character requirements, and that supporting documentation is properly prepared. If applying under an employer-sponsored visa with family, the sponsoring employer does not need to provide additional sponsorship for your dependents, but you will need to demonstrate that you can financially support them upon arrival.
There are many factors that will determine your chances of successfully immigrating. Ensuring you know exactly what visas you do and don’t qualify and submitting the correct application paperwork are just a few. Working with an experienced, reputable migration agency like Hitchcock & Associates will maximise your chances of a successful application while streamlining and making the process simpler and easier to navigate.
